Parkes has players' backing, says Ward

Saturday's comprehensive 2-0 victory over Stockport County was Rovers' fourth game unbeaten since Parkes took over following Brian Kidd's sacking.

And, with confidence now starting to return among the players, Ward believes Parkes deserves all the credit.

A host of big-names continue to be linked with the post, the latest being Charlton boss Alan Curbishley.

But he signed a new four-year deal in the summer and has firm roots in the London area.

Former Rangers boss Graeme Souness is the new fans' favourite, according to the latest poll on Radio Rovers.

But, if he had featured high on the Ewood Park short-list, he would probably be in the post by now.

Norwich boss Bruce Rioch is the man who appears to most accurately satisfy many of the board's criteria, although he hardly featured in the fans' favourites.

Rioch has a contract at Carrow Road until May 2001, but the club is crippled by debts of £7 million.

So a substantial compensation package might appeal to Norwich, especially as they have former Northern Ireland boss Bryan Hamilton waiting in the wings as director of football.

The Norwich chairman Bob Cooper was away on business in France today.

Former Bolton manager Colin Todd remains an outside chance although he, like Souness, appears to have dropped down the pecking order. And FA technical director Howard Wilkinson is believed to be happy in his current post.

But Ward feels the club could do a lot worse than turn to Parkes, who continues to rule himself out as an option and is unlikely to be in charge for any longer than the home match with Bolton nest Tuesday.

"If Tony decided he wanted it, and the club decided to give it to him, then he'd get the same respect as a full-time manager as he's got as a caretaker," said Ward.

"He's picking up points, which the players like, so he'd have no problems in the dressing room.

"Training has been lively, everybody has enjoyed it, and he's a very knowledgeable bloke in terms of football, so everyone respects him for that.

"I'm not saying there was anything right or wrong with the old manager.

"But everyone has got their own different styles and whenever a new manager takes over he's going to make things slightly different."

Saturday's victory over Stockport moved Rovers up a place to 17th in the First Division table.

And they are now nine points off the play-off places with two games in hand on most of the teams above. Yet, despite the resurgence under Parkes, Ward insists there is still more to come.

"We are not firing on all cylinders yet and we feel when we do reach our peak we can beat anyone in this league," said Ward.

"It's hard to shake off the kind of start we've had but there's only one way to do that and that's to win games.

"We've won the last two home games now and we could have won at Crewe.

"So the only way to build confidence and shake off that bad start is to start picking up points.

"And that's what we are doing at the moment."

Parkes was also delighted with Saturday's result which has bought the board more time in their search for a new manager. But he believes an appointment needs to be made soon because the uncertainty surrounding the situation is rubbing off on the players.

"It's not affecting them on the pitch but I am sure they are affected by the fact they don't know what's going to happen," said Parkes.

"It's mainly the players who are not in the side that are going to be most concerned because, obviously, when a new manager comes in they think they might be back in the side.

"And rightly so - it's an unsettling period for players. They want to know where they are going, they want to know who's coming in and they want something a bit more concrete.

"So it needs sorting out.

"But I'm sure they are working hard to try and get somebody in at the club so we'll leave that to them. At the moment, things are okay from mine and the players point of view because we are on a decent little run.

"But you know the first one we lose it will be panic stations and everyone will be saying get the new manager in."

As long as Parkes continues to get results, it will ease the pressure on the board to find a new man.

But the 50-year-old coach has dismissed the possibility of holding the fort until the end of the season.

"I don't think that's in anybody's mind - certainly not at the club," said Parkes.

"I think there would have to be big, big problems from the other side, like they can't get the man they want or a manager, for that to happen."

Meanwhile, Parkes has not ruled out further changes for tomorrow's game against Charlton despite Saturday's result.

"There may be more changes on Tuesday. That team was for Saturday but we don't don't know what's going to happen tomorrow, or should I say the players don't know. "It's not easy to find your best 11 because we've got that many players.

"So some are going to be disappointed but the ones currently in the side are elated."

Kenny Dalglish and Ray Harford took in the game on Saturday at Ewood before attending Dalglish's silver wedding celebrations in the Southport area.

Rovers schoolboy Jonathan Walters slammed in a first half hat-trick as the under 17s thumped Barnsley 5-0 at the weekend.

Liam Blakeman also scored twice for Rovers.

The Under 19s remain top of their league despite a rare 3-2 defeat, also against Barnsley. Gary Hamilton and Ryan Baldacchino were the Rovers scorers.

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